If you identify with Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) regarding Jane Austin —

I haven’t any right to criticise books, and I don’t do it except when I hate them. I often want to criticise Jane Austen, but her books madden me so that I can’t conceal my frenzy from the reader; and therefore I have to stop every time I begin. Everytime I read ‘Pride and Prejudice’ I want to dig her up and beat her over the skull with her own shin-bone.
– Letter to Joseph Twichell, 13 September 1898

— stop reading now. Some of us (points to self) are big fans.
However, if you read the following and can actually see the wonderful Allison Steadman acting this out —

Tell him what a dreadful state I am in, that I am frighted out of my wits–and have such tremblings, such flutterings, all over me–such spasms in my side and pains in my head, and such beatings at heart, that I can get no rest by night nor by day. And tell my dear Lydia not to give any directions about her clothes till she has seen me, for she does not know which are the best warehouses. Oh, brother, how kind you are! I know you will contrive it all.”

–you are in for a treat this year. Not only is this the bicentennial of our country’s birth, but the bicentennial of the birth of Miss Jane Austen. Let’s get our Jane on! The Washington Examiner starts us off on some really good ways to celebrate:

It is a truth universally acknowledged that 2025 is a momentous year for Jane Austen fans. Dec. 16 marks the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth, and Janeites around the world have been celebrating in ways both big and small. Libraries, bookstores, and literary clubs have hosted events, and historical sites and museums have held costumed galas for legions of Austen devotees.

It appears that Jane Austen’s life and novels are more popular than ever, spawning a cottage industry of Austen-inspired gifts, books, and products for diehard fans as well as new followers of her work.

snip–

A casual reader may dismiss Austen as a precursor to Chick Lit, but her life and novels are much more complicated than the stuff of romance. In dismissing the genius of Austen, critics are neglecting to consider the complexity of Austen’s life and the societal rules and norms of Regency England.

Austen was the daughter of an Anglican clergyman, and her deep faith and moral compass are reflected in many of her characters. As a sister to brothers who fought in the Napoleonic Wars, she understood the political climate of her time. And while one brother had the privilege of becoming wealthy landed gentry, she experienced a genteel poverty, along with her mother and elder sister, after their father’s death.

Austen saw a small degree of acclaim after the publication of several of her novels, but nothing near the notoriety that was gained after her death at the age of 41. Her six finished novels, along with several incomplete works, still remain popular two centuries later. That is no small feat for a spinster clergyman’s daughter.

Chick lit, my Aunt Fanny. Women without the ability to earn. Younger sons whose only choice for careers is the church or the military. Family dynamics and neighborhood squabbles. That is not chick lit.

It has been eight years since our Deanna suggested the 1995 BBC television version of Pride & Prejudice for bingewatching. If you haven’t watched the Jennifer Ehle/Colin Firth led production, now is the time. Run, do not delay. You are in for a Colin Firth treat:

this is so colin firth in pride and prejudice (1995) pic.twitter.com/0i4ib8tO2j https://t.co/rJFXdXXx7u

— nids | #FreePalestine (@NedeHeber) June 7, 2025

It’s amazing that this is the 30th anniversary of the BBC Pride & Prejudice (P&P to fans) with everyone so perfectly cast. The 2005 version had Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen and is meh AND Netflix is planning another P&P. Knowing Netflix, it will be gritty and filled with pedophiles. I never include the 1940 version with Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier because it is an abomination.

In 1995 the movie version of Sense & Sensibility came out. It was an ego turn by Emma Thompson, who wrote the screenplay and starred. She was waaaaay tooooo old for the part. The movie is visually stunning and the supporting characters are perfect. The late Alan Rickman is a treat. The 2008 version of S&S had the goal of making us forget the 1995 movie. Yeah, right. Not gonna ever happen.

Not one of the more popular Jane Austen stories, the 1999 version of Mansfield Park is wonderful, infuriating and utterly delicious for its comeuppances. It’s so satisfying when people get what they deserve and Mansfield Park delivers.

Trust me, you will enjoy it.

Yes, I have left Emma out of this roundup. Not just because Gwyneth Paltrow (Blythe Danner) is insipid. Her Mother could do a much better job with the part, even as an old lady. Alicia Silverstone in Clueless is fun and doesn’t try to overplay the part.

Sanditon after the first season is useless. Jane Austen would not have appreciated this grift. She only started the novel. I don’t know what this mess is.

Reading Jane Austen is very satisfying because she has a wicked mind. She cuts with a scalpel. Many people can’t do that today. Their minds aren’t sharp enough.

As for parties, my friends used to enjoy Downton Abbey parties. I may need to see if I can get them up for a Jane Austen Birthday Party. I could tell them it’s a Bridgeton Party. Ugh! As if.

Featured Image: william/Wikimedia Commons.org/cropped/Creative Commons 2.0